Take the US-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, for instance. "The THAAD has shorter range and is incapable of hitting targets beyond the horizon. In addition, it is purely an anti-ballistic missile system designed to shoot down ballistic missiles," he added.
The S-400, developed in response to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as Star Wars, has a lot more to offer.
The Triumf's first unique feature is its long range.
"The S-400 is capable of hitting targets at a height of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles). Its second distinctive feature is fire-and-forget capability. Its missiles are fitted with a homing device which can lock on a target and destroy it. Unlike US systems, the S-400 does not need to track the target," Sivkov explained.
Unsurprisingly, the S-400 Triumf has caused a stir. So far only China signed a contract for the deliveries of the cutting-edge missile defense system but many are likely to follow.
Saudi Arabia is said to be interested in purchasing the S-400s, while a $10 billion arms deal with India is expected to be inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow in December.
